This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

I tried knitting once, there was a local bar where people would show you how to do it and you could hang out with pretty women, chat, and drink Bloody Marys, which is my idea of a perfect Sunday.

Long story short my one "project" was a simple potholder which by the time I was done with it was this oblong trapezoidal unidentifiable thing. It looked like something created by an Italian Futurist but it looked nothing like a potholder.

PolyHatSnake:This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

JudgeSmails:PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

PolyHatSnake:JudgeSmails: PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

Are you single? Go to a beginners class at any yarn or craft store and you will have lots of opportunities to meet women, especially daughters and granddaughters of other students. Nothing like having Mom or Grandma on your side.

I've seen the story before, too, and while I'm sure they have an ongoing need, I'm also sure that the publicity - no doubt welcome - yields far more sweaters than there are penguins who need them. But it's a good way to jump-start more local projects.

I crochet little cat mats for our local Animal Control. Dog mats also welcome, but I like to do the cat ones because they are smaller and work up very quickly. The blankets go with the animal when it's adopted, so it has a familiar smell for comfort in its new home.

Ravelry has some good free pattern ideas (knit and crochet) to get started.

PolyHatSnake:JudgeSmails: PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

So, FWIW, my Mom used to crochet (not knitting, I know) beer can and beer bottle cozies (sp?) for local commercial area fishermen. She used rust and camo colored yarns. I think after the penguin sweaters if you get any crap from macho pals about your new hobby, gift 'em some beer "sweaters" in the dead of winter or before they head out on a hunting trip. You'll be very popular, very quickly.

catmandu:PolyHatSnake: JudgeSmails: PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

Are you single? Go to a beginners class at any yarn or craft store and you will have lots of opportunities to meet women, especially daughters and granddaughters of other students. Nothing like having Mom or Grandma on your side.

SpeelChuck:I've seen the story before, too, and while I'm sure they have an ongoing need, I'm also sure that the publicity - no doubt welcome - yields far more sweaters than there are penguins who need them. But it's a good way to jump-start more local projects.

I crochet little cat mats for our local Animal Control. Dog mats also welcome, but I like to do the cat ones because they are smaller and work up very quickly. The blankets go with the animal when it's adopted, so it has a familiar smell for comfort in its new home.

Ravelry has some good free pattern ideas (knit and crochet) to get started.

The last time they sent out a request for the sweaters they got thousands. They sell life size little penguin toys in the gift shop so they started offering them with sweaters for a couple of bucks more to raise additional funds for the sanctuary.

Benevolent Misanthrope:dilettantegrrl: Have no fear, Farkers. I have just sent the link to my mother. There won't be a naked penguin to be found by the end of the month.

You should have her knit you a Dr. Who Scarf. Twelve feet of geeky goodness.

My mom has partially made 3 baby blankets (one for each of my crotchfruit). My Dr Who scarf, made when the 4th doctor was *the* doctor, according to an "official pattern" we had to mail off to the BBC to get, is closer to 16 feet. And it is the only knitting project my mom has completed.

PolyHatSnake:This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

PolyHatSnake:This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

Knitting used to be primarily a man's occupation to bring in money for their families. many families would knit together at night making socks or gloves for extra money. As the industrial revolution took over, men went to better paying jobs and the women took over knitting socks, gloves and whatnot for spare money. About 100 years ago, circular sock knitting machines were invented, allowing a cottage industry to start up for faster production of socks. Its hard to think of a world where you cannot go to the store and pick up a bag of tube socks. They also had to raise the sheep, shear them, card the fleece and spin it into wool. Now,you just go to Joanns.or on line.

A great book to read about knitting is The History of Knitting by Richard Rutt. A guy knitter from England. I have 100's of books for my obsession. Magazines galore. I knit because it is very satisfying to making something with your hands and to give something to a worthwhile org.

When men apply themselves to knitting ( or crochet or sewing) they tend to be technically excellent with their craft. Go on ravelry.com. there are scores of guys who knit (jared flood, stephen west, Kasse Fasse, Franklin Habit) to check out. A buttload of forum under 1000's of catagories, some related to knitting. I hang out alot in an atheist forum under same user name.

Check out knittinghelp.com for basics.

For about $10, you can buy yarn and needles. How many hobbies can you start off so cheaply? And have it so affordable and portable?

TIL that knitters are warm, helpful, friendly folk. What are you people doing on Fark?

Seriously though, I'm going to look into this hobby, if for no other reason than the oddity of it. I like working with my hands, I love making things, for myself and to give to others, and from what I can see, getting started looks relatively cheap. Thanks for the tips, book reccomendations, hook-up hints, and most of all, lack of scorn and ridicule. Very rare on the internets.

Benevolent Misanthrope:dilettantegrrl: Benevolent Misanthrope: dilettantegrrl: Have no fear, Farkers. I have just sent the link to my mother. There won't be a naked penguin to be found by the end of the month.

You should have her knit you a Dr. Who Scarf. Twelve feet of geeky goodness.

Thanks bunches, BM!!! I don't know how you knew I live with a Whovian, but now that I have your graciously shared link this is sooooo happening!

De nada, Chica. I didn't KNOW-know, but on Fark the odds are good that you or someone you know would want one. I'm not really a Whovian, and I'm almost ready to learn to knit just to make one.

I have a 15- year old nerdlet who got hooked on all the greats (Firefly, Dr. Who, etc.) by her stepdad. It's been really nice to watch them geekily bond. 10 and 11 are her Doctors, but she will love the scarf to pieces. And my mom will love making something that will be so appreciated. Cheers!!

PolyHatSnake:catmandu: PolyHatSnake: JudgeSmails: PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

Are you single? Go to a beginners class at any yarn or craft store and you will have lots of opportunities to meet women, especially daughters and granddaughters of other students. Nothing like having Mom or Grandma on your side.

Oh. Oh, that's a good one!

Chicks love dudes who knit or crochet. Seriously.

What part of Texas are you at? There's a couple of knitting groups in the DFW, as well.

Benevolent Misanthrope:dilettantegrrl: Benevolent Misanthrope: dilettantegrrl: Have no fear, Farkers. I have just sent the link to my mother. There won't be a naked penguin to be found by the end of the month.

You should have her knit you a Dr. Who Scarf. Twelve feet of geeky goodness.

Thanks bunches, BM!!! I don't know how you knew I live with a Whovian, but now that I have your graciously shared link this is sooooo happening!

De nada, Chica. I didn't KNOW-know, but on Fark the odds are good that you or someone you know would want one. I'm not really a Whovian, and I'm almost ready to learn to knit just to make one.

Ravelry has a support group for people knitting Doctor Who scarves. Seriously.

While I'm here, this is one of my periodic reminders that the group Farkers With Yarn exists on Ravelry.

Needlessly Complicated:PolyHatSnake: catmandu: PolyHatSnake: JudgeSmails: PolyHatSnake: This makes me want to learn how to knit, just so I could send them a bunch, and help out.

Let me give a little context to that: I'm a 6ft tall mid-twenties Texan male, who drives a F-150, hunts, fishes, I have a heeler-coyote mix dog, I own multiple guns, deer heads hang on my living room wall, my redneck cred is very much in place, and I state again, I am seriously considering taking up knitting to contribute to this.

YouTube is a great place to start if you don't want to go to your local yarn store. start with casting on and in no time at all you'll be knitting. i knit but whenever I want to learn a new stitch I always go to YouTube.

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that, having to stroll into a yarn store to buy supplies. I'll probably do that just for the funny looks and confused stares. Thanks for the YouTube tip though, between that and Instructables you can pretty much teach yourself how to do anything these days.

Are you single? Go to a beginners class at any yarn or craft store and you will have lots of opportunities to meet women, especially daughters and granddaughters of other students. Nothing like having Mom or Grandma on your side.

Oh. Oh, that's a good one!

Chicks love dudes who knit or crochet. Seriously.

What part of Texas are you at? There's a couple of knitting groups in the DFW, as well.

Ha! Wasn't there a story and thread recently about women being less attracted to men who perform "domestic duties" or tasks that would traditionally be considered female? Not completely rejecting the idea you posit, but maintaining skepticism.

I want a pen-gu-in wearing one of my sweaters. Quick, someone dump some oil. (Not really.)

Great charity links in here! As for the Dr Who scarf, there wasn't just one. There was a different one for each season, sometimes more than one, all different lengths and widths. Those things got pretty beaten up during filming. One scarf is the least beaten up ends of seasons 14 and 13 grafted together. They follow roughly the same color pattern until season 18 which is totally different and the longest of them all.

/hot

Funny story as to why it was so long. The costume designer wanted a scarf but was not a knitter. So he bought a shiat ton of yarn (having no clue how much was needed for a scarf) in the desired color palate and gave it to knitter Begonia Pope, telling her to "Knit up a scarf for Tom." She, misunderstanding, used up all the yarn. It actually had to be shortened before filming, it was that ridiculous.